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The Wedding Story
our big day:
June 9, 2007
The week of the wedding...
Was very
uneventful but I did have to switch the seating plan 2x at the last minute.
I was freaking out before the wedding about...
It was the
Thursday night before the wedding, we were at the Black Forest dropping off
seating plan, wedding favours etc., I had been planning to walk down the
stairs at the back as my grand entrance. Well when we were leaving from our
meeting I had to walk down the stairs, in a split second I thought I was
going to be sick. I started to get nervous and freaking out. And the seating
plan display fell apart, to top it off.
I was cool as a
cucumber because...
On the day
of the wedding I was absolutely fine no issues. I wasn't nervous or scared.
At a point I was getting a little short with the bridesmaids - they were
taking forever to get ready. Steve on the other hand wasn't. He arrived for
pics before me and he waited, called me but I couldn't answer the phone. He
honestly thought I wasn't going to show up! But you know women - they are
always late.
The wedding
rehearsal story...
It was
very basic but the groomsmen wouldn't shut up. They were basically getting
everyone angry. We managed to finish at a reasonable time.
Getting ready, the morning of the wedding...
Was ok. We
weren't rushed. The limo picked us up and took us to the hair salon. I had
the appointments booked a year in advanced so they were able to do
everyone's hair at the same time. My aunt was there waiting to capture the
event on film so that was fun. The limo picked us up when we were done and
took us back to my house to have make up done. We thought we had lots of
time but the photographer showed up 45 mins early, so I was the only one
basically ready at that time. I just had to put on my dress. It had a zipper
so in no time I was ready. When I was going for pictures, they were still at
my house - but outside - my daughter was almost done and 1 bridesmaid. But
it seemed like they took forever to get outside I had to send my brother to
get them 2x. He also picked up the flowers and got them ready for us which
was a big help. Needless to say pictures took longer than we had expected
and we were late for the next set. We had the majority of pics taken before
the ceremony because it was staring at 5pm.
Our people (bridesmaids, Moms, groomsmen, etc.) were...
Well the
bridesmaids were my friends, my daughter was a jr bridesmaid. All their
dresses were made as well and designed by them (so if they never wear them
again its not my fault). I also choose black so they had something to wear
again. Their dresses actually looked like evening dresses. One even had a
very Kate Hudson dress. She is very daring. Their dresses were very unique
and suited their personality. My daughter however did not want black she
wore orange and very age appropriate - she's 11. All the jewellery again
were custom to their taste and the designer made them as well. Oh ya - she
made my mom's too. The guys typical tuxes nothing too special (no ones
looking at them anyway HaHaHa). Steve had his best friend as best man, 2
brothers as groomsmen and his nephew as jr groomsman - he's 13. My mom and
dad were excited - they have waited along time for this day. I'm 38 and have
never been married (so yes it can happen). Steve's family - I can't say very
much. Some of us don't get along that well so needless to say they didn't
stay very long. Which was fine with us. They didn't help at all financially
and had no intentions to. Some were upset that they didn't have a say in the
wedding at all (they were asked who they wanted there) but as anything else,
it was our wedding we did it how we wanted to so there wasn't any regrets in
what we did at all. You only do it 1x so do it the way you want.
My thoughts before the ceremony...
There were
people at the hall waiting outside. Yes we were late about 15 minutes so I
had to sneak in the side door with the bridesmaids trying to cover me so no
one would see my dress. But as soon as they saw the limo everyone came
running and it was impossible to just slip in. Steve was still very nervous
but I was good. I felt very comfortable. My aunt was there again to take
some more photos kinda like behind the scene ones. She took a lot of pics of
the groomsmen and the bridal party freaking out up stairs. Yes it was them
freaking out and not me they were so nervous. I actually though it was quite
amusing. We even have pictures to prove this.
The ceremony was...
... at the
Black Forest Inn in Conestogo. The ceremony was performed by Don Moore. It
was quite simple but effective, we wanted a very non-traditional and quick
but to the point ceremony. Instead of a unity candle we had a sand ceremony
as I have a daughter from a previous relationship, we wanted her to feel
apart of the day. The sand ceremony represents your lives as individuals
(you each have your own sand usually different colour) but when put together
they can't be separated. It had people in tears and it was very memorable.
Did I forget to mention I used very non-traditional music as well. I walked
down the aisle to "A MOMENT LIKE THIS" and left with "HANGING BY A MOMENT".
The photoshoot was...
... very
short so it seemed I didn't get to take as many pics as I would've liked or
at other locations I would've liked. There was no time.
The reception looked...
...
absolutely stunning when guests walked in. The tables were set with white
linen and black accents. There was a canopy over the dance floor that was
all lit up.
The speeches were...
In between courses there wasn't very many as they were chicken to go up so
it was nice and sweet nothing dragged out.
The reception was...
... right after the ceremony with hordors to
start with champagne toasts. We went close by to have more pics taken. The
food was excellent - mixed greens salad to start pasta with fresh pesto and
tomatoes followed by prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, maple carrots,
grilled veggies, duchesse potatoes (which were unbelievable) followed by a
mouse raspberry cake. which got rave reviews. I had Steve's uncle sing and
play the guitar for the first dance, then father daughter and mother and son
dance were done together to save time. I teach dancing so I had a lot of the
dancing girls there that got everyone up dancing. I also had some kids that
I teach there as well they had a blast! The service I received at the
reception was excellent - impeccable in fact. The only thing is is that
night went too fast and I didn't get to see or talk to everyone that was
there as some left earlier than others.
A few things went wrong...
Well the dj couldn't find the song I requested
for the groomsmen to come out in at the ceremony. He had it and then
misplaced it. He replaced it with another song that was equally as good. And
I was the only one who knew that. 2 of the bridesmaids were drunk but at
least they weren't making an ass of themselves and again it went toooo fast.
I look at pics now and say I don't remember taking that! Well I was in the
pic so I must've. On a whole nothing overly disastrous.
A few things made us laugh...
The girls
from the dance studio were funny they had Steve up dancing and he doesn't
dance. He had a great time with them (as I see by the pics that were taken).
My brother was emcee and he told some pretty funny stories about me (they
weren't roasting ones) and even the guests got in on comments during
speeches. Oh ya, did I forget to tell you I made guests get up and dance for
me if they wanted me to kiss Steve @ dinner instead of hitting their
glasses? Clearly that in itself was funny.
My bridal gown, hair and make-up was...
My gown
was a custom made gown from a local Kitchener designer. It was made from raw
silk and a very deep red colour. Yes I said red. I never wear white as a
colour so why would I wear it on this important day? The designer was great
and helped me design a dress that would suit my body and personality. It was
a very medieval style with flowing sleeves, high back (to hide my tattoo),
fitted bodice and skirt was full but not too full. The back of the skirt had
a puddle train and puckers were inserted in the middle of skirt with
crystals in each pucker. The top of the dress was detailed in black and red
crystals. All my jewellery was made as well by the designer. It was
absolutely stunning. My hair is short so it was fairly easy to do. I did
have a head band in my hair with crystals and beads in it. My make up was
done at home and it was very natural so it did look like me.
The groom looked...
Looked very good - had a tux with a vest that
matched my dress. He looked like a typical groom.
Overall the day was...
Nothing put a damper on our day. I couldn't
have imagined it any other way. The Black Forest Inn was amazing - its all
inclusive includes your photography, cake, decorations, dj, food food and
more food. Best of all there is a wedding planner, Barb, who helps you all
the way through - very stress free. I went to a wedding 4 yrs ago there when
I walked in the door I said this is where I'm getting married. At the time I
didn't know when or to who but I knew I was going there. The only thing I
can say is it wasn't long enough so take lots of pictures - you have those
forever! |
